Linguine with Spicy Sausage and Scallion Sauce

Illustration by Michael Toland

Recipe By: Grace Parisi
This fun riff on pesto uses scallions and parsley in place of basil to create a bright, flavorful sauce that coats the linguine beautifully. The spicy sausage here adds a nice, meaty kick.

Total Time: 0:35

Level:
Moderate

Serves:
4

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Ingredients

¾ lb. linguine

4 scallions

½ c. flat-leaf parsley

2 tbsp. pine nuts

¼ c. plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

½ c. Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Salt and freshly ground pepper

¾ lb. hot Italian sausage (about 4 links)

Directions

In a large pot of generously salted boiling water, cook the pasta until just al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.

Meanwhile, in a mini food processor, combine the scallions, parsley, pine nuts and 1/4 cup of the olive oil and process until pureed. Add the 1/2 cup of the cheese, season with salt and pepper and process the pesto just until blended.

In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sausage and cook over high heat, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until it is lightly browned and no trace of pink remains, about 5 minutes. Drain the sausage and pour off any fat in the skillet.

Return the sausage to the skillet. Add the scallion pesto, pasta and 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking water and simmer over moderate heat, tossing, until a thick, creamy sauce forms, about 2 minutes; add more of the pasta cooking water if the sauce is dry. Transfer the pasta to bowls and serve, passing extra Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on the side.